by Osman Parvez
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Many in Boulder are lamenting the loss of KVOD, Colorado Public Radio’s classical music station, which no longer has decent reception in the city since the switch to 88.1 FM. However, from music festivals to solo recitals, classical music is being performed everywhere. Since 1978, the Colorado Music Festival has been a staple of summer at Chautauqua Park, commonly featuring pieces by Mozart, Stravinsky, and Beethoven. Last Friday, the festival wrapped up six weeks of concerts, with performances by dozens of artists, including the St. Petersburg String Quartet and fifteen-year-old Shannon Lee.

A myriad of concerts can also be found at the University of Colorado. Each year, the university features the Boulder-based, Grammy Award-winning group, Takács Quartet. You’ll want to purchase tickets as soon as they become available for at least one of the twelve concerts scheduled at CU this season – they will all sell out. In addition to the Takács Quartet, the school offers a comprehensive artist series and performances by the CU Opera.

Colorado has over a dozen of music festivals every summer. Possibly the most notable (ok, bad pun) music festival in the state is the internationally renowned Aspen Music Festival, approximately three and a half hours from Boulder. This nine-week festival features more than 350 classical music events every summer. The 2008 season ends on August 17th.

Most festivals are winding down or have ended their 2008 season. However, CU Concerts, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and Colorado Symphony Orchestra each have packed calendars for the 2008-2009 season. You can even catch a free student recital or faculty performance at the CU College of Music.

image: jrossol
research assistance: Evan

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